I simplify my life by making menus for each month then I know what I  need that week when I go to the grocery store and there are no surprises about whether I have the  ingredients. I also know the night before what I am going to make for dinner the next evening and if I need to thaw it out I can.  I also like to use my slow cooker/crockpot as much as possible.  THe monthly menu has simplified my life and reduce stress so much.

I simplify my life by trying not to commit to too many things during the week. We stay at home most evenings after work/school so that my daughter can have time to play and we have time to spend with her before starting yet another day.

I try to use my crock pot at least once per week.  It's so easy & there are usually leftovers for the next night!!  Crockpot Lasagna & Crockpot Chili are our family's fave's!!

This first year of my son's life I'm trying not to over extend myself. Which is difficult, as I have two jobs, am a student, am breastfeeding, and...well am a LOT of things to a lot of people right now. So just parenting and working and being a partner are enough, I try to keep my friends in the loop and let them know I care about them, try to check in with the extended family, try not to miss birthdays and important moments in my support-network's lives, BUT, I don't try to keep up my childless lifestyle now that I'm a mother. And I try to be honest and gracious when I turn down social engagements. Hopefully when I have a few less balls in the air those friendships will still be there. Shrug.

I simplify my life by only committing to things I enjoy and am able time-wise to commit to. As I grew older, I realized that I need to stop trying to please everyone (an impossible task) and also take care of myself. By managing my time, I have eliminated a lot of stress in my life and am able to give more of myself to other people as a result!

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definitely not commiting to too many activities helps reduce stress levels around the house! NO need to be busy every night or weekend - It's just too much!

I love this bread, by the way, it's very tasty!!

As far as simplifying our lives, I try to keep a pretty flexible schedule for myself and kids. I don't schedule things unless I really want to do them, and I have no problem saying NO!!

I try to keep my life a little simpler by making sure I do not overschedule my time or my children's time.  We limit the number of things we are involved in so that we can do one thing at a time and do it well. 

I always keep my kids in a routine and they seem to respond to it by knowing what to do and when to do it. The weekends are their ''break.'' They need a little relief from the routine. My son has adhd and he behaves better with my new ''routine'' for him. He made honor roll for the first time this semester! Maybe routines can be boring but  the'' boring'' things we do in everyday routines are the most important things in life!!The little details as we mothers do with our cooking, cleaning or other things that go unseen are very important to nurture a family. Thanks for the chance to win!

I try to make life simple in many ways.  When I cook, I make extra and freeze it so we can pull it out on a night we are busy and don't have time.  I try not to over commit my time or anyone else's so that we are not running in ten different directions with no time to relax. We keep a calendar on the kitchen wall with all appointments so that we do not overlap times and can schedule rides.  We also try and plan fun and easy weekend activites, such as biking or going to the park, so everyone has time to relax and unwind.

We have been skipping the strings of pumpkin lights, bunches of Indian corn, wind-up Santa, poseable bunnies, and other holiday decorations. Without all of the unpacking, placing, removing, and putting away, we have more time to enjoy the holiday experiences.

It's all about planning ahead. Setting thing up ahead of time, like baby's bottle, his bath toys, etc. It's the last second scrambling that drives me crazy.

I always plan ahead and have a to do list so I won't forget what needs to be done. For example grocery shopping list, weekly menu plan...etc.  Less is more, don't over do anything. I must admit that it's not easy to get organized of our busy schedules, however I made lots of efforts to achieve this goal. By getting organized, life becomes less chaotic and smoother, love it!

I simplify my life by teaching and allowing my son to do the things around the house that he's capable of. I no longer have to worry about setting the table at meal times. It might not be perfect, but he can do it.

I must say that it was a difficult task for me, as by nature I want to do it all. With every year that I age, I realize that I can no longer be superwoman and so simplification is not a luxury, but a necessity. I now rely on my family to help me with the tasks that used to be ALL MINE. My hubby does the dishes and the trash, my son always helps with the cleaning. It's worked out well, and taught them a bit of responsibility as well.

Zippy

One of the ways I try to simplify my life is to only go grocery shopping once a week. It doesn't seem like it would save that much time but I've seen such a difference! I also try to go to smaller grocery stores because you can shop through them so quickly, rather than the large box stores like Meijer or Walmart. An hour or more can fly by when you're shopping there!

I simplify my life by planning ahead and trying to be as organized as I possibly can.  I try to not wait until the last second to do things and I try not to be late.  I write everything down and I make lists.

I simplify my life my by including whole grains, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Peanut Oil, two baby asprins, ground flaxseed, and Omega-3, and folic acid in my daily diet.

kikisb2002@yahoo.com

I keep it simple by going for walks and not being to crazy with my schedule. Schedules add more stress for me if I don't allow flexibility!

To live a more simple life we disconnect. Not from each other but from phones, and TV and ipods and enjoy each other's company every night before bed.  We play games, act silly and really enjoy what matters most. 

We do a little bit of everything.  We have routines, but with the knowledge of being flexible.  We have patience and understanding, and most of the Crock Pot is my best friend!

I simplify by planning meals on a weekly basis, with grocery lists, and sticking 2 it

pkbailey@charter.net

Demands that I simplfy as much as humanely possible. I try to streamline my routines, condense my errands to one circuitious route so I save gas, and probably the most important way to simplify my day - delegate!

One of the most demanding times of the day is dinnertime.  We are just coming home from work, have a hungry baby on our hands and have to figure out dinner plans.  One way I have simplilfied is to create a meal planning list each Sunday afternoon.  I write out what the meal for each day is and what ingredients are needed.  The list is then posted on the fridge.  That way, if we are having spaghetti in the evening, I look at the list in the morning and know to set out the meat to defrost.  It has really saved lots of time and we are able to eat healthier dinners that are thought-out instead of getting take-out several times a week.

My life is simplified by planning meals ahead so I have all ingredients on hand, laying out my clothes and my girls' clothes the night before.  This has saved me from lots of aggravation and stress by avoiding last minute crises.

After some major health problems, I've learned that life is precious and it's not necessary to stress over everything -- especially the little things.  I've planted a fruit/vegetable garden and use the exercise it gives to help my mind and body, and knowing the produce is chemical free so I don't have to go looking (and paying) for organic veggies is just bonus way to simplify my life.

I am learning to love and appreciate the simple things in life and have found life much sweeter for my efforts.

"Make it Do"
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Purchasing an iPhone has simplied my life tremendously. I can put all of my schedules into it and create an alarm or an alert of something due, I can use the real-time map, I can track police from a distance while driving, I can look up a restaurant's phone number, I can tweet, I can facebook, I can call friends, and the list goes on.... I use my iPhone for everything - this little phone does it all.  I can check on up on my kids and family all with the use of my iPhone. :)

As a single mom, the only way that I have been able to keep my life as simple as possible is to write out a schedule for my upcoming 2 weeks every Monday morning.  I have my day to day schedule on the left side and my grocery list and to-do list on the right.  I make sure to use scratch paper too for my list to save money and trees. 

Can moms simplify their lives?

I simply have embraced an attitude of pure and complete joy in every task. That is the goal at  least!

I always thought the older he became the easier it would become. Yet, each year has brought complicated scheduling and needs of uncanny proportions (I am a single mom).

Luckily, I have an "S" on my chest and have so far (knock, knock!) been everywhere I've needed to be, made sure he was everywhere he needed to be, kept him fed (and the dog most times) and managed to keep him in clean clothes.

Simplicity comes as a state of mind!

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